A visiting delegation of the Chugoku Economic Federation from the Hiroshima region of Japan has shown strong interest in the wood processing, tourism and geothermal industries and presents an important opportunity for Rotorua’s economy, according toÂ Rotorua MP Todd McClay. Mr McClay welcomed the high powered business delegation to New Zealand as Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in a speech in Wellington yesterday. “This visit reflects strong interest in New Zealand from Japanese economic groups in recent years and is very welcome,” said Mr McClay. Delegations from the highly influential Japan Business Federation and Kansai Economic Federation visited New Zealand in 2014. “Japan is New Zealand’s fourth largest trading partner and fourth largest source of foreign investment. We therefore welcome these visits and the opportunities they present to strengthen trade and investment links.” The delegation has a particular interest in New Zealand’s renewable energy policies and tourism strategies and will be visiting Rotorua, Kawerau and Christchurch. “We are keen to increase the use of renewable energy as a way to deal with climate change and while there is already considerable cooperation between New Zealand and Japan in geothermal energy, we see the scope to do more together as Japan develops its geothermal resource,” says Mr McClay. “A number of the companies represented in the delegation already have long-standing investments in New Zealand and we welcome opportunities to deepen those relationships.” Originally from Rotorua Daily Post...

New Zealand has officially opened its first diplomatic mission to the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) bloc in Jakarta, Trade Minister Tim Groser said Friday. â€œThe opening of a New Zealand Mission is a significant demonstration of our commitment to the region. It comes at an important time. This year marks the 40th anniversary of New Zealandâ€™s formal relationship with ASEAN, and also the year that ASEAN will launch the ASEAN Community,â€ Tim Groser said who opened the mission. â€œASEAN is now home to around 625 million people and has a combined GDP of USD2.4 trillion. Taken as a bloc, ASEAN is now the seventh largest economy in the world and New Zealandâ€™s fourth largest trading partner. ASEAN has become a pillar of New Zealand trade.â€ While in Jakarta, Minister Groser also warmly welcomed the signing of a contract between New Zealand solar power company, Power Technology ASEAN Ltd, and Indonesian conglomerate, Sekar Group. In the contract the parties agree to work together to develop ASEANâ€™s first environmentally-sustainable shrimp farm in Sumbawa. Powertech ASEAN will provide the design and installation expertise to the Sekar Group. â€œWe have long been involved with Indonesia in the development of Indonesiaâ€™s huge renewable energy production in geothermal power, where New Zealand obviously has world-leading technology.â€ â€œIt is therefore very pleasing that we are now starting to see that smart New Zealand companies in other areas of the renewable energy equation â€“ in this case, solar â€“ can contribute to Indonesiaâ€™s low-carbon energy security,â€ Groser said. Trade Minister Groserâ€™s visit to Indonesia is part of a series of events held in ASEAN countries this year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of New Zealand-ASEAN relations. Originally from...

A visiting delegation of the Chugoku Economic Federation from the Hiroshima region of Japan has shown strong interest in the wood processing, tourism and geothermal industries and presents an important opportunity for Rotorua’s economy, according toÂ Rotorua MP Todd McClay. Mr McClay welcomed the high powered business delegation to New Zealand as Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in a speech in Wellington...

New Zealand has officially opened its first diplomatic mission to the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) bloc in Jakarta, Trade Minister Tim Groser said Friday. â€œThe opening of a New Zealand Mission is a significant demonstration of our commitment to the region. It comes at an important time. This year marks the 40th anniversary of New Zealandâ€™s formal relationship with ASEAN, and also the year that ASEAN will launch...

The UAE and New Zealand have signed an arrangement for the development of a jointly funded 1 MW solar photovoltaic power plant in the Solomon Islands. Both countries share a common interest in the rapid deployment of renewable energy in developing countries, particularly in the Pacific region, and signed a renewable energy partnership arrangement in January 2014. This 1MW power plant 600kW funded by the UAE and 400kW funded by the New...

In Christchurch, Ratepayers have stumped up $18,000 for a solar-powered bus shelter that can charge electronic devices. The prototype costs almost $10,000 more than a traditional bus shelter in Christchurch. It has courted criticism on social media where people have questioned whether it will be targeted by vandals like many stops around the city. The Christchurch City Council installed the locally designed and built solar-powered...

People who have solar panels and sell electricity back into the grid deserve a fair price, Green MP Gareth Hughes says. â€œAlmost every region had different rules, regulations and need for resource consents in order to install.â€ Power companies held the literal and metaphorical power when it came to setting buy-back rates. The rates had fluctuated from 17 cents to as low as 4 cents, without more than a monthâ€™s notice, leaving...

Communications Minister Amy Adams leaves for India to lead a New Zealand CleanTech business delegation. According to the department, the minister will visit Bangalore for business and state government meetings before traveling to New Delhi for the Renewable Energy India Expo. In D elhi, the Minister will also meet senior Indian Ministers. â€œThis visit is an opportunity to enhance trade and business links between India and New Zealand...